The largest adult soccer tournament in the U.S. happens annually in Asheville, NC over Labor Day weekend.

In its 6th year, the Beer City Cup draws teams from as far away as Wisconsin, Missouri, Maryland and Florida. Overall, 84 teams will come from 28 cities across 10 states to play for $7,000 in cash prizes over the two day event held September 5 + 6.

This is anything but your average soccer tournament. The Oskar Blues sponsored event combines top quality soccer with top quality beer in a top shelf town. To boot, the Beer City Cup is a fan and family-friendly event.

The spectator centered event culminates with the Finals on Sunday, September 6. The finals are held at conveniently located Memorial Stadium, which is set downtown up above the Tourists’ McCormick Field.

Free admission, local food trucks (Taste+See, Amazing Pizza Co. and CHUBwagon) and $2 beers from 12-10pm, make this an easy event to attend. This year the tournament will climax with fireworks which will be held in conjunction with the Tourist’s game, at 9:30pm.

For the 2nd year in a row, the Beer City Cup will partner with the Buncombe County Special Olympics. Last year’s contribution was around $1,000. This year, the goal is to reach $2,000!!

The tournament is played using a goal-friendly format with shortened games to increase spectator enjoyment. The teams play 8 vs. 8 across a normal field’s width. This allows two games to take place at once and each game lasts one hour instead of the traditional 90 minute match which is for 11 vs. 11.

Among the many reasons that Beer City Cup has quickly become so popular for players is the quality of the competition and the chance to play in front of crowds.

Blue Ion, from Charleston, SC has won the Open Division ($2000 cash prize) the past three years, and is returning to try to pull off a 4-Peat! This year’s tournament will feature some exciting new challengers including the 3X National Champs, the St. Pete Kickers, from St. Petersburg, FL. The Open Division final will be played at 7:00pm on Sunday the 6th, with the fireworks directly to follow.

The Co-Ed and Over 40 Division Divisions will play their respective finals immediately preceding the Open Division final at 5:30pm, and the Over 30 and Over 50 Divisions will play their finals at 4:00pm.

Asheville based teams did well last year with local “all-star” teams Zia Taqueria winning the Over 30 Division and Hotspur winning the Over 40 Division. In the always thrilling Co-Ed Division, Asheville based Frienemies lost in the finals to Raleigh based Easy Riders. KVARS, an Asheville based Latin team, represented strongly while losing in the Open Division final.

The 2015 version of the Beer City Cup will begin on Saturday, September 5. Games will run from 8am to 10pm at the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex in East Asheville and concurrently at Memorial Stadium downtown.

Only the strong will survive to play on the grand stage on Sunday at Memorial Stadium. Admission is free, beer from 7 local breweries will be available for only $2 and 3 food trucks will be on hand.